Sikorsky S-76: Difference between revisions
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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The development of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s as the S-74, with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry; the S-74 was later re-designated the S-76 in honor of the [[United States Bicentennial|U.S. Bicentennial]]. Sikorsky's design work on the government-financed [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] military helicopter was utilized in the development of the S-76. The S-76 |
The development of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s as the S-74, with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry; the S-74 was later re-designated the S-76 in honor of the [[United States Bicentennial|U.S. Bicentennial]]. Sikorsky's design work on the government-financed [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] military helicopter was utilized in the development of the S-76. The features the S-76 shared with the UH-60 are the rotor blades, a bearingless composite tail rotor, bifilar vibration absorbers, and a simplified transmission.<ref name=SikArchives_S-76>{{cite web|last=Devine|first=Vinny|title=Sikorsky Product History: S-76|url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-76.php|publisher=Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives|accessdate=24 July 2012|date=April 2012}}</ref><ref name="Lambertfi p1378">Lambert ''Flight International'' 6 May 1978, p. 1378.</ref> It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed purely for commercial rather than military use.<ref name="Lambertfi p1377"> Lambert ''Flight International'' 6 May 1978, p. 1377.</ref> |
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The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977.<ref name="Simpson 2001 505">{{Harvnb|Simpson|2001|p=505}}</ref> Initial US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] [[Type certificate|type certification]] was granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.<ref name="AIMar80 p142,4">''Air International'' March 1980, pp. 142, 144.</ref> The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,<ref name="AIMar80 p144">''Air International'' March 1980, p. 144.</ref> but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980 due to translation issues into some foreign languages.<ref>Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-76.php |title=R-4 Coast Guard |publisher=Sikorsky Archives |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}</ref> |
The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977.<ref name="Simpson 2001 505">{{Harvnb|Simpson|2001|p=505}}</ref> Initial US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] [[Type certificate|type certification]] was granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.<ref name="AIMar80 p142,4">''Air International'' March 1980, pp. 142, 144.</ref> The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,<ref name="AIMar80 p144">''Air International'' March 1980, p. 144.</ref> but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980 due to translation issues into some foreign languages.<ref>Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-76.php |title=R-4 Coast Guard |publisher=Sikorsky Archives |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}</ref> |
Revision as of 01:44, 26 July 2012
S-76 | |
---|---|
Galician Coast Guard S-76C+ | |
Role | SAR/utility helicopter |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation |
First flight | March 13, 1977 |
Primary user | CHC Helicopter Corporation[1] |
Number built | 774 as of March 2011[citation needed] |
Variants | Sikorsky S-75 |
The Sikorsky S-76 is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter, manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The S-76 features twin turboshaft engines, four-bladed main and tail rotors and retractable landing gear.
Development
The development of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s as the S-74, with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry; the S-74 was later re-designated the S-76 in honor of the U.S. Bicentennial. Sikorsky's design work on the government-financed UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter was utilized in the development of the S-76. The features the S-76 shared with the UH-60 are the rotor blades, a bearingless composite tail rotor, bifilar vibration absorbers, and a simplified transmission.[2][3] It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed purely for commercial rather than military use.[4]
The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977.[5] Initial US Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.[6] The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,[7] but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980 due to translation issues into some foreign languages.[8][9]
The first production variant was the S-76A. In 1982, this model set class records for range, climb, speed and ceiling. Several airlines operate the S-76A on scheduled services including Helijet Airways of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The S-76 Mk II was introduced in 1982 and the S-76B in 1987, with its top speed of 155 kn (287 km/h) at sea level. Over 500 S-76s had been delivered by early 2001.[5]
The S-76C+ was produced until December 2005. It is equipped with twin Turboméca Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and a Honeywell EFIS suite.[5] The aircraft incorporates active noise suppression, vibration dampers and a composite main rotor. On January 3, 2006, the S-76 C++ replaced earlier models in production. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines and incorporates an improved and quieter transmission as well as minor changes in the interior equipment and avionics. There were 92 orders for this model as of January 2006.
Development of the follow-on S-76D has been subject to delays due to technical problems in expanding the flight envelope.[10] It is to be powered by 1,050 hp (783 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines driving composite rotors and will incorporate active vibration control. A prototype made its first flight on 7 February 2009 and type certification was initially expected in 2011, with deliveries forecast for the end of that year. Three prototypes will be used in the certification program. One aircraft will be used to obtain certification of an optional electric rotor ice-protection system. Performance is anticipated to be substantially improved with the added power, but initial certification will retain the same 11,700 lb (5,307 kg) gross weight and maximum 155 kn (287 km/h) cruise speed.[11]
Design
The S-76 is of conventional configuration, with a four-bladed main rotor and a four bladed anti-torque rotor on the port side of the tailboom. Two turboshaft engines are located above the passenger cabin.[12] In the prototypes and initial production aircraft, these engines were Allison 250-C30s, a new version of the popular Allison 250 engine developed specially for the S-76, with a single-stage centrifugal compressor instead of the multi-stage axial/centrifugal compressor of earlier models of the engine, rated at 650 shp (480 kW) for take-off.[13] These engines are connected to the main rotor by the main gearbox, a three-stage unit with a bull gear as its final stage rather than the planetary gear used by previous generations of Sikorsky helicopters. This arrangement gave 30% fewer parts and lower costs than a more conventional design.[2][14]
The main rotor hub has a single piece aluminum hub with elastomeric bearings designed not to require lubrication or any other kind of maintenance throughout its design life.[2][14] The main rotor blades have titanium spars and incorporate a 10 degree twist to give an even loading when hovering, while the they use a non-symmetrical airfoil section with a drooped leading edge. The rotor tips are tapered and swept back.[14][3] Flight controls are servo-assisted, with a Stability Augmentation System fitted.[15] A retractable nosewheel undercarriage is fitted, which gave the S-76A a 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) increase in cruising speed and emergency floation gear can be fitted, with floation bags that can be filled with helium in the event of a forced landing on water.[4]
The fuselage is of mixed metal and composites construction, with a glassfibre noseand a light alloy honeycomb cabin structure. The semi-monocoque tailboom is also constructed of light alloy.[12] Two pilots (or a pilot and a passenger) sit side in the cockpit, situated ahead of the cabin, which can accomodate a further 12 passengers in three fows of four, or four to eight passengers in more luxurious executive seating.[14]
Variants
Civil
- S-76A : Original production version, powered by two 485 kW (650 shp) Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C30 turboshaft engines. Large number modified to S-76A+, A++, C, and C+. 284 manufactured.
- S-76A Utility : Utility transport version, equipped with sliding doors and a strengthened floor.
- S-76A+ : Unsold S-76s were fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S turboshaft engines. 17 manufactured.
- S-76A++ : S-76 helicopters fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 turboshaft engines.
- S-76A Mk II : Improved all-weather transport version, fitted with more powerful engines, and other detail improvements.
- S-76B : Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-36A or Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-36B turboshaft engines. 101 built.
- S-76C : Powered by two 539-kW (981-shp) Turboméca Arriel 1S1 turboshaft engines. 43 manufactured.
- S-76C+ : Uprated version, fitted with improved Turboméca Arriel 2S1 turboshafts with FADEC. 35 manufactured.
- S-76C++ : Turboméca Arriel 2S2
- S-76D : Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S.
Military
- AUH-76 : Armed utility transport version, developed from the S-76 Mk. II.
- H-76B : Military version of the S-76B.
- H-76N : Planned naval version of 1984, not implemented.
Experimental derivatives
- Sikorsky S-75
- The Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) was an all-composite Sikorsky early LHX proof of concept aircraft. It mated a new composite airframe with S-76 engines, rotors and powertrain components.[16]
- Sikorsky S-76 SHADOW
- Boeing-Sikorsky MANPRINT study. The original concept of the LHX program was to produce a one-man helicopter that could do more than a two-man aircraft. The Sikorsky (S-76) Helicopter Advance Demonstrator of Operators Workload (SHADOW) had a single-pilot advanced cockpit grafted to its nose. The purpose was to study the MANPRINT or human engineering interface between the pilot and the cockpit controls and displays. The cockpit was the prototype of a single-pilot cockpit designed for use on the prototype RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The cockpit was designed so sensors would feed data to the pilot through helmet mounted displays. The MANPRINT study determined that single-pilot operation of the Comanche was unsafe, and would result in pilot overload. As result of this study, the Comanche was designed to be operated by a crew of two.[17]
Operators
Civil
The S-76 is in civil service around the world with airlines, corporations, hospital, government operators and, notably, the British Royal Family. The world's largest civilian fleet is the 79 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters operated by CHC Helicopter Corporation.[1]
Military, and government operators
- Argentine Air Force - 1 S-76B Mark II[18]
- Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (former operator)
- Government Flying Service (Hong Kong) (former operator)
- Japan Coast Guard - 4 S-76Cs[18]
- Philippine Air Force - 4 S-76As[19]
- National Airborne Service Corps - 2 S-76B[20]
- Ministry of Interior ordered 15 in November 2007.[21]
- Serbian Ministry of the Interior - 1 S-76B employed as a presidential transport helicopter[22]
- Spanish Air Force - 8 S-76s[18] (78th wing)
- Galician Coast Guard - 2 S-76C+s[23][24][25]
- Royal Thai Navy - 5 S-76s[18]
Accidents
Specifications (Sikorsky S-76C++)
Data from Sikorsky[26]
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Capacity: seats 12–13
- Length: 52 ft 6 in (16.00 m) from tip of main rotor to tip of tail rotor
- Wingspan: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m) rotor span
- Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) at horizontal stabilizer
- Height: 14 ft 5.8 in (4.415 m) to tip of tail rotor
- Empty weight: 4,490 lb (2,037 kg)
- Gross weight: 11,700 lb (5,307 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 turboshaft, 922 shp (688 kW) each
- Main rotor diameter: 4 × 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 145 kn (167 mph, 269 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h)
- Range: 411 nmi (473 mi, 761 km)
- Service ceiling: 13,800 ft (4,200 m)
Avionics
- Honeywell four-tube EFIS and Collins Proline II avionics suite
- Four-axis fully coupled autopilot
- Integrated Instrument Display System (IIDS)
- Honeywell ground proximity warning system
- Honeywell Primus weather radar
- Dual comm/nav radios
- Automatic direction finder
- Dual attitude and heading reference system and air data computers
- Radio altimeter
- Mode C transponder
- Dual VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and Instrument landing system (ILS)
- Distance measuring equipment
- Cockpit voice recorder
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
Notes
- ^ a b CHC Helicopter (2010). "CHC Fleet". Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ a b c Devine, Vinny (April 2012). "Sikorsky Product History: S-76". Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ a b Lambert Flight International 6 May 1978, p. 1378.
- ^ a b Lambert Flight International 6 May 1978, p. 1377.
- ^ a b c Simpson 2001, p. 505
- ^ Air International March 1980, pp. 142, 144.
- ^ Air International March 1980, p. 144.
- ^ Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.
- ^ "R-4 Coast Guard". Sikorsky Archives. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- ^ "Sikorsky explains four-year delivery slip for S-76D". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "First Flight for Improved Sikorsky S-76", p. 15. Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 16, 2009.
- ^ a b Taylor 1982, pp. 476–477.
- ^ Air International March 1980, pp. 113–114.
- ^ a b c d Air International March 1980, p. 114.
- ^ Air International March 1980, pp. 114, 116.
- ^ Harding, Stephen. "Sikorsky S-75 ACAP". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-7643-0190-X.
- ^ Amsta-lc-cstr (2009). "Historic US Army Helicopters". Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c d "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2011 Aerospace. Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2011.
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2012 Aerospace. Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2012.
- ^ National Airborne Service Corps S-76B
- ^ Sikorsky Press release, September 4, 2008.
- ^ "Serbian Police Aviation". Aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- ^ Press Releases - Xunta de Galicia's Search and Rescue Service Purchases Two S-76C++ Helicopters
- ^ SALVAMENTO MARÍTIMO - Los ángeles del mar de Galicia han salvado ya a 1.321 náufragos
- ^ Pesca tramita la adquisición del tercer helicóptero de Gardacostas
- ^ Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (2011). "S-76C++ Helicopter". Retrieved 6 July 2011.
Bibliography
- Lambert, Mark (6 May 1978). "S-76 in the Air". Flight International. Vol. 113 (No. 3607): pp. 1377–1382.
{{cite journal}}
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has extra text (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.
{{cite book}}
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(help) - "The Spirit of Sikorsky". Air International. Vol. 18 (No. 3): pp. 111–116, 142–144. March 1980. ISSN 0306-5634.
{{cite journal}}
:|issue=
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has extra text (help);|volume=
has extra text (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Taylor, John W. R (1982). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0 7106-0748-2.
- Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. (page 90) ISBN 0-517-439352.
External links
- Official Sikorsky S-76 page
- FAA S-76 Type Certificate Data Sheet
- S-76 database by serial number, tail numbers, models, and current status
- S-76A/A+/A++ Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net
- S-76B Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net
- S-76C/C+/C++ Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net
- BBC News - "Which party is winning the air war?" - Details of the S-76s used in the United Kingdom general election, 2005.